Consider incorporating a building management system (BMS) into your building design. A BMS is not required by the credit, but the level of detail provided by a BMS can be much more helpful than a simple monitoring system.
When writing the M&V plan for tenant guidance, provide detailed information on ways to connect to the base building M&V infrastructure. It is helpful to give product information and specific recommendations for mechanical and electrical systems.
Consider the impact of an M&V program on mechanical system design requirements. Keep in mind that a tenant’s mechanical system must be capable of providing the necessary outputs for the monitoring or submetering system. Typically, the outputs are energy usage stated as kWs, BTUs, or therms over a given period of time.
You’ll need to write an M&V plan that provides guidance for future tenants. The plan should encourage tenants to submeter their space, and should provide guidance on attempting LEED-CI EAc3. You’ll also need to provide information on developing corrective actions if the M&V program indicates that the assumed energy savings are not being achieved.
This credit focuses on setting up the infrastructure for tenants to submeter their space, and helping them meet the requirements of LEED-CI EAc3: Measurement and Verification.
Determine whether attempting EAc5.1, EAc5.2, or both is best for your project. Achieving both will earn your project a total of six points. You can attempt one or both—neither is dependent on the other.
Introduce the M&V program into the design early in the process, because it can affect the design of the mechanical and electrical systems as well as the BMS, if you have one. There is also inherent value in having the design teams think about how the building will be operated.
Discuss as a team whether M&V will contribute to your project’s goals for energy reduction and system monitoring. Consider your project’s size, its complexity, and your tenants’ needs. Also think about how the building will be operated. If the M&V program is not likely to be fully utilized by the tenants, it may not be an appropriate investment.
Discuss the potential scope of your M&V plan. Will you meter natural gas, water consumption, or other variables? You will be required to meter all electricity-using systems, but should also consider expanding the scope to include natural gas too. Some projects find it helpful to incorporate water meters in an effort to verify water-reduction goals.
